Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing substantially complete correction of thermally-induced aberrations of the gain medium in an end-pumped laser system with at least one aspheric surface that is positioned within the optical cavity of the laser system. The at least one aspheric surface is shaped to substantially cancel all of the thermally-induced aberration of the gain medium at the normal power level of the laser system.

Abstract: An end-pumped laser oscillator having an amplifier including a solid-state gain medium. Pump beams, which are generated by two groups of laser diode bars placed between the optical elements defining the optical resonator, are directed onto opposite end surfaces of the solid-state gain medium, which intersect the optical axis of the optical resonator. The laser diode bars of each group are circumferentially distributed about the optical axis in a uniform pattern and at the same distance along the optical axis from the gain medium. One group of diode bars is located to one side of the gain medium and the other group is located to the other side of the gain medium. Pump beam energy is thereby effectively and efficiently directed onto both end surfaces of the solid-state gain medium from a plurality of laser diode bars allowing the output power produced by the gain medium to be scaled to the thermal limits of the gain medium.

Abstract: A reflective Faraday isolator for handling high average powers. The Faraday isolator includes a Faraday medium, one or more magnets, and pole pieces to concentrate the magnetic field produced by the magnet on the Faraday medium. The light energy is received at a first side of the Faraday medium, transmitted through the Faraday medium, and reflected by a mirrored opposing second side of the Faraday medium. The second side of the Faraday medium is attached to a heat removal means, whereby great amounts of heat energy may be removed, producing thermal gradients in the Faraday medium which are substantially parallel to an axis of the Faraday isolator. Various embodiments of the Faraday isolator of the present invention use different heat removal means.